Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.
Chapter Five:
Undone
Aaylie's POV
The moment I finished changing into an olive green dress with frills – oh, I hated frills! – and lace, and long after breakfast was had, I accompanied Frodo by the front door. He was such a gentleman, opening the door for me. It was almost as if… wait. Was he attracted to me? No, he was with Pearl Took. That's who he was meant to be with.
But then, how did he end up a bachelor like Bilbo? Oh, I hoped that my interactions with him didn't set him down this path. Even a small moment, a small change in the timeline, would screw up everything.
Now that it was morning, the town of Tuckborough certainly looked like a small village. Wait… was Frodo planning on just letting us explore Tuckborough, as I'm sure the town was called? Was it possible to travel to Hobbiton?
"Frodo, are we heading for Hobbiton?" I asked, curious.
"Wouldn't you want to explore Tuckborough?" Frodo asked in exchange.
"How far away is Hobbiton? I'm sure Bilbo Baggins, your uncle, must be…"
"Well, I won't be back at Bag End until the week is up, whenever you decide to leave." Frodo smirked. "That is, if you want to." He led me into the village. Seeing the crowd of hobbits did make me stick out, and yet all the confused looks didn't resolve one part of the equation: what was it about me that felt out of place? I know I didn't belong in Middle-earth. The hobbits' expressions practically admitted that I was an outsider. And yet, it was Frodo who told me in my ear, "Aaylie, you're mysterious. That's what intrigues me."
"My story is as ordinary as anyone else's," I admitted, approaching an apple stand to test out a green apple. It was nice and firm, but I wondered if it was edible. "My parents are alive, I broke up with my boyfriend, I have friends who care, a job. Pretty much a normal life."
"Then you are ordinary." Frodo sagged his shoulders, admitting promptly, "For a moment, I expected you to be different, seeking adventures where none can hardly look."
"If you knew me, you would know that I'm not adventurous. Yes, I have seen The Lord of the Rings, which was good, but you don't need to know that detail."
"What's it about, Aaylie? Does it involve me?"
I whispered. "It talks about the adventures you will have. I don't think…"
"Do you think it's wise telling me this?" He asked, cautious.
"What if I tell you? It could change events in your life. All the fanfiction stories I've read, they always talk about how, when the girl enters Middle-earth, they try their absolute hardest not to change the timeline, and yet when we read the Bible, it literally maps out our future. Nothing's happened when people read the Bible." This did make sense. Why hasn't anyone tried to just let events unfold. Sure, there may not be an undo button, but what did it hurt? Frodo's expression now told me I went over his head. "Frodo, you're going to go on a quest to destroy a ring of power."
"Are you serious?" Frodo was stunned. "Is this quest adventurous, exhilarating…"
"It's perilous." I admitted, telling him flat out. "I know you think you'll have the adventure you want, but it won't turn out the way you like. You'll be wounded mentally, spiritually and physically. It'll change you. And you'll feel cheated because everyone else got the quest they deserved, but you didn't." I didn't know what I was saying, but it all came out at once. Strangely, everything was glowing a brighter shade of white. Had I said something wrong? Did I change the timeline? It was as if there were no words, no sound.
Seriously, girls from modern times. Why did they have to do this? The future was going to be changed anyway.
And yet, I didn't know what was happening… it was as if I was sucked into an endless void of darkness. Did I do something wrong? Did I? There was a bright light. No. It couldn't be, and yet I knew his name: it was Glorfindel, the First-born Elf who must have been in some battle long ago in Middle-earth's history. Wait… how did I know him or his name?
"Child, you are offline from the world. Because of your actions, you've just changed events in Middle-earth's history. I don't know whether to feel anger, frustration or grief," Glorfindel told me. His expression was serious, and yet relieving. "Most women wouldn't have achieved what you've done."
"Then why hide the truth from people? Is it so wrong not to admit the whole truth and be honest with people?" I asked, quite confused.
"No, it is not, Aaylie. You've done well." Glorfindel looked on, curious about what would happen next. "But you are allowed to watch events unfold and what's been undone will now change. We'll see if Frodo reaches his goal."
Frodo's POV – Six Months Later
Frodo stared out the window. The Great Smial's parlor was certainly large enough to fit more than one person, and yet he hadn't expected Pearl to show up with a tray filled with appetizers. He wasn't that hungry. Still, his mind wandered to his upcoming quest. Aaylie said it would be perilous. And yet, he couldn't help thinking about her.
He wouldn't punish her for admitting the truth. While she didn't give the full report of his quest, he was grateful for the knowledge. At least he now knew what quest he would be on. It certainly seemed like a true statement, and not false.
"You're still thinking about her, aren't you? Frodo, it's been six months." Pearl went on, acting like the subject was closed. But it wasn't closed in Frodo's mind. "It's time to discuss our future. We can have children, you'd have a decent job, and I'd do housework. If we have girls, I can teach them about lace, the proper makings of a dress, the housework, caring for a husband and raising children, teaching them the value of manners, living a normal life with a well suited home. That's what's important, isn't it?"
"It's not enough." Frodo faced her, calming down as he spoke. "Living life in the Shire, a normal one, that's your lifestyle. I need more. I'm not ready to be a husband. If I were, it would end in disaster. But more than that, your life is filled with daily habits that involve housework and such." He admitted, "This has nothing to do with Aaylie. I've thought of this long before she arrived. What we have, it isn't there. You deserve a peaceful life. I need an adventurous one, outside the Shire. This is your home, and you stay. I don't mind. What we have was good in the beginning, but it also felt forced by family. I want to be in love when I'm ready, not by what other people tell me.
"I'm sorry Pearl. What we had is over."
"I feel the same," Pearl admitted. "Go. Live your life. If you're lucky to find someone in life, that means so much to you, keep her. Even if it wasn't me."
Frodo smiled. "Thanks. So, I guess we're back to being cousins."
"I think we've always been cousins, distant though we may be," she admitted a second time.
"Good luck, Pearl," he said, heading out the door. But not before suggesting, "When you see Pippin, tell him that Frodo came over."
"I will tell him that. Good luck, Frodo, whatever you do," she replied, sincerely.
Not saying another word, Frodo darted out the door. Good. He was a free gentle-hobbit again. Now he could do whatever he wanted. But would he choose to stay a bachelor his whole life? Well, maybe not his whole life. Oh well. At least he had a good run with Pearl Took, when their relationship lasted as long as it had.
The subject was closed.
Thanks for reading. :)
